Grate assembly with log-supporting arrangement

ABSTRACT

A wood-burning grate assembly for burning logs comprises a metal log-supporting shelf formed with apertures therethrough in the form of spaced, parallel and elongated slots. Means are provided to support the shelf elevated above a support base. Relatively elongated metal prongs are insertable into selected apertures to extend above the shelf to retain logs on the shelf in a selected pattern. Each prong has, at one end, a laterally reduced extension forming a shoulder engageable with one surface of the shelf and having a hook portion at its free end engageable with the other surface of the shelf, when the extension is inserted, with clearance, into an aperture. The prongs may also be used as the support means for the shelf, and either may be solid or may be apertured, to reduce weight. Each prong may have either one such shoulder or may have a pair of oppositely extending shoulders.

United States, Patent Lyman P. Wood Cedar Beach, Charlotte, Vt. 05445; Douglas Merrilees, Vine St., Northfield, Vt.

[72] Inventors 05663 [21] Appl. No. 29,499 [22] Filed Apr. 17, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [54] GRATE ASSEMBLY WITH LOG-SUPPORTING Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre AttorneyMcGlew and Torcn ABSTRACT: A wood-burning grate assembly for burning logs comprises a metal log-supporting shelf formed with apertures therethrough in the form of spaced, parallel and elongated slots. Means are provided to support the shelf elevated above a support base. Relatively elongated metal prongs are insertable into selected apertures to extend above the shelf to retain logs on the shelf in a selected pattern. Each prong has, at one end, a laterally reduced extension forming a shoulder engageable with one surface of the shelf and having a hook portion at its free end engageable with the other surface of the shelf, when the extension is inserted, with clearance, into an aperture. The prongs may also be used as the support means for the shelf, and either may be solid or may be apcrtured, to reduce weight. Each prong may have either one such shoulder or may have a pair of oppositely extending shoulders.

GRATE ASSEMBLY WITH LOG-SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the best-buming results, so that it is difficult to maintain a fire,

particularly when burning relatively 'poor quality firewood. A further disadvantage is that it is difficult to prevent the logs from rolling out of the fireplace and difficult to maintain the fire at the back of the fireplace. This latter disadvantage is particularly important from the standpoint of reducing smoking of fireplaces having faulty drafts.

To overcome these disadvantages, it has been proposed to provide a grate assembly including a supporting shelf formed with a plurality of apertures, such as circular tapered apertures, for example, and to provide a plurality of metal prongs having tapered ends which may be inserted into these apertures. While this arrangement has proven satisfactory from the standpoint of overcoming most of the disadvantages mentioned above, it has been somewhat lacking in versatility and adaptability, in addition to which it has required supporting means for the shelf, either in the form of permanently attached legs or in the form of andirons on which the shelf is supported. 7

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to grate assemblies for burning logs and, more particularly, to a novel and improved grate assembly including selectively positionable metal prongs for maintaining logs in a predetermined pattern on the upper surface of a log-supporting shelf, and which prongs may also be used as legs to support the shelf in elevated relation.

In accordance with the present invention, the grate assembly includes a laterally extended metal-log-supporting shelf, of suitable metal, such as cast iron or the like, which is formed with a plurality of spaced apertures therein, the apertures preferably being in the form of spaced parallel elongated slots extending from one end of the shelf to the other end, the resulting transverse bars being integrally interconnected by end bars at each end of the shelf. The shelf may be flat or may be slightly curved, so as to have a concavo-convex form.

Associated with this shelf, and serving to retain logs on the shelf in a selected pattern, are a plurality of prongs which are disengageably positionable in the apertures in the shelf. These prongs, which preferably have a tapered or wedge-shaped configuration extending outwardly from the shelf, when the prongs are positioned thereon, have, at their wider ends, a laterally reduced extension forming at least one shoulder engageable with a surface of the shelf when the extension is inserted, with clearance, into an aperture in the shelf. The reduced extension may be so located as to form either a single shoulder or a pair of oppositely extending shoulders, and the free or outer end of each extension is hooked. Thereby, when a prong is positioned on the shelf, with its extension extending through an aperture, a shoulder on the prong will bear against a surface of the shelf while the hook on the end of the extension engages with the opposite surface of the shelf.

The shelf is supported in elevated relation by disengageable legs which have substantially the same construction and formation as the prongs, but which may be slightly shorter than the prongs, if desired. Alternatively, theprongs can be used interchangeably either as log positioners or retainers or as legs for supporting the shelf. The main portions of the prongs, extending from a surface of the shelf, may be solid or may be apertured to reduce weight.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the apertures in the shelf form longitudinally extending slots, the prongs, when inserted into a slot, may be slid therealong to any desired position. Also, the legs, which likewise have their extensions inserted into the slots, can be adjusted along the slots to attain the best support positions for the particular log loading on the shelf.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved woodburning grate assembly for burning logs and the like.

Another object of the invention is to-provide such a grate assembly including a laterally extended metal log-supporting shelf formed with apertures therethrough which preferably are elongated substantially parallel slots.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a grate assembly including relatively elongated metal prongs insertable into selected apertures to retain logs on the shelf in a selected pattern, these prongs having shoulders engageable with the shelf and reduced extensions, which have hooks at their ends, extending through the apertures with the hooks engaged with the undersurface of the shelf.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a grate assembly includingsupporting legs having substantially the same construction as the prongs.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a grate assembly in which the prongs may be used interchangeably either as log retainers and positioners or as supporting legs for the shelf.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical em bodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a part elevation and part sectional view illustrating a modified form of prong; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another modified form of prong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. I, a wood-burning grate assembly, generally indicated at 10, comprises a supporting shelf 15 with removable prongs 20 for holding logs or the like 11 in selected positions on shelf 15. Shelf I5 is supported on removable legs 25. While the legs 25 are somewhat shorter in length than the prongs 20, they have essentially the same construction and configuration, and it should be noted that prongs 20 can be used not only to hold logs 11 in place on the upper surface of shelf 15 but also may serve as support legs for shelf 15.

Shelf 15'is a metal member formed of, for example, cast iron, and has slots 16 extending longitudinally thereof in spaced parallel relation. The slots 16 are defined by longitudinal bars 17 having the cross-sectional shape of inverted trapezoids, so that the slots or channels 16 are tapered and diverge downwardly of shelf 15. Shelf 15 may be flat, but preferably is concavo-convex, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ends of bars 17 are interconnected by end members 18 which are integral with the longitudinal members or bars 17.

Prongs 20, which may be solid metal castings, for example, comprise upper portions 21 which are in a form that may be described as being a truncated pyramid. Projecting from the base of the truncated pyramid, there is a reduced extension 22 which is preferably tapered in width toward its free end, and the free end of each extension is formed as a hook 24. The junction of each extension 22 with the main upper portion 21 of a prong 20 results in the formation of at least one shoulder 23, the prong shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 being formed with two such shoulders 23.

Each leg 25 has essentially the same formation as a prong 20, including a main lower portion 26 which is in the form of a truncated pyramid and from which there projects upwardly a reduced extension 27 which forms at least one shoulder 28, and preferably two shoulders 28, at its junction with portion 26. In the same manner as for prongs 20, the free end of each extension 27 is formed as a hook 29. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. I and 2, legs 25 are indicated as having a length somewhat less than that of prongs 20. However, if desired, the legs 25 could have the same length as prongs and, alternatively, prongs 20 can be used as legs to support shelf 15.

To assemble the grate, legs are interlocked with shelf 15 by having their reduced extensions 27 inserted upwardly through respective slots 16, with each leg 25 then being tilted to engage its hook 29 with the upper surface of shelf I5. Preferably four legs 25 are used to support shelf 15, although three legs conceivably could be used to support the shelf. When each leg 25 is tilted to engage its hook 29 with the upper surface of a longitudinal bar 17, the adjacent bar 17 rests on the shoulder 28 of the leg 25, the distance between the inner surface of each hook 29 and the shoulders 28 being selected so as to allow some slight play for the leg to assume the position shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

After shelf 15 is supported on legs 25, prongs 20 are mounted on shelf 15 in a number and at locations such as to support logs 11 in a desired pattern. For example, four prongs 20 may be mounted on shelf 15, as shown in FIG. 1. Each prong 20 is mounted on shelf 15 by inserting its extension 22 through a slot 16, at a selected location along the slot, and then tilting prong 20 until its hook 24 engages the underside of a longitudinal bar 17, as shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the positions or locations of the prongs 20 may be easily changed as necessary or desirable. Changes in the longitudinal spacing of a pair of prongs 20 can be effected merely by sliding one or both prongs along a slot 16, while the lateral spacing of prongs 20 can be easily selected by selecting a pair of slots 16 which are appropriately spaced apart.

The prongs 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each have a pair of shoulders 23. However, the prongs may be formed to have only one shoulder 23, as indicated in FIG. 3, wherein prong 20 has a wider extension 22 terminating in a slightly different shaped hook portion 24. Also, the slots 16 need not be tapered, but may have a uniform width, as shown at 16' in FIG. 2, with each of the longitudinal bars 17' having a rectangular or square cross section.

To reduce the weight of each prong, the prong may have an aperture in its upper portion. Referring to FIG. 4, a prong comprises a generally truncated pyramid-shaped upper portion 31 which has a large quasi-triangular aperture 32 therein to reduce its weight. The prong extension 33 is formed by a channel or groove 34, and is curved as indicated in FIG. 4, to form a hook 35. Prong 30, shown in FIG. 4, is used in the same manner as prongs 20.

With the described arrangement, a compact, simplified and inexpensive wood-burning grate, for use in fireplaces and the like, is provided. The grate may be shipped and sold in knockdown form, so that it forms a compact shipping package. Furthermore, should one of the elements such as a grate, a prong, or a leg become broken, it can readily be replaced by an identical member. The relatively long slots 16 which are in spaced parallel relation, provide adequate draft for a fire burning on the grate, and the spaced prongs 20 also provide for a draft laterally of the grate.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A wood-burning grate assembly, for burning logs and the like in a fireplace, comprising, in combination, a laterally extended metal-log-supporting shelf formed with apertures therethrough; means supporting said shelf elevated above a support base; and plural relatively elongated metal prongs insertable into selected apertures to extend above said shelf to retain logs on said shelf in a selected pattern; each of said prongs having, at one end, an extension forming a shoulder engageable with one surface of said shelf when said extension is inserted into an aperture with lateral clearance in the aperture.

2. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim I, in which each extension has, at its free end, a hook engageable with the other surface of said shelf upon tilting of the associated prong following such insertion of its extension into an aperture in said shelf.

3. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which each extension forms, at its junction with the upper portion of the associated prong, a pair of oppositely directed shoulders.

4. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim I, in which said supporting means comprises plural relatively elongated metal legs insertable into selected apertures in said shelf, each leg having, at its upper end, an extension forming a shoulder engageable with the undersurface of said shelf when said extension is inserted into an aperture with lateral clearance in the aperture.

5. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 4, in which each leg extension has a hook at its free end engageable with the upper surface of said shelf when the extension is in serted into an aperture and the leg is tilted.

6. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which said supporting means comprises plural legs each having substantially the same formation as a prong; said shelf resting on shoulders of said legs when the extensions of said legs are inserted into selected apertures in said shelf.

7. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which said apertures comprise plural longitudinally extending substantially parallel and laterally spaced slots in said shelf terminating short of each end of said shelf.

8. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 7, in which each slot is defined by a pair of parallel bars, said bars having an inverted trapezoidal cross section.

9. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 7, in which said grate has a slight lateral curvature defining a substantially concave upper surface and a substantially convex lower surface.

10. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each prong is an open frame defining a relatively large weight-reducing aperture; each prong extension being in the form of a curved hook in cross section.

11. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each prong has the general form of a truncated pyramid. 

1. A wood-burning grate assembly, for burning logs and the like in a fireplace, comprising, in combination, a laterally extended metal-log-supporting shelf formed with apertures therethrough; means supporting said shelf elevated above a support base; and plural relatively elongated metal prongs insertable into selected apertures to extend above said shelf to retain logs on said shelf in a selected pattern; each of said prongs having, at one end, an extension forming a shoulder engageable with one surface of said shelf when said extension is inserted into an aperture with lateral clearance in the aperture.
 2. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, in which each extension has, at its free end, a hook engageable with the other surface of said shelf upon tilting of the associated prong following such insertion of its extension into an aperture in said shelf.
 3. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which each extension forms, at its junction with the upper portion of the associated prong, a pair of oppositely directed shoulders.
 4. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises plural relatively elongated metal legs insertable into selected apertures in said shelf, each leg having, at its upper end, an extension forming a shoulder engageable with the undersurface of said shelf when said extension is inserted into an aperture with lateral clearance in the aperture.
 5. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 4, in which each leg extension has a hook at its free end engageable with the upper surface of said shelf when the extension is inserted into an aperture and the leg is tilted.
 6. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which said supporting means comprises plural legs each having substantially the same formation as a prong; said shelf resting on shoulders of said legs when the extensions of said legs are inserted into selected apertures in said shelf.
 7. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 2, in which said apertures comprise plural longitudinally extending substantially parallel and laterally spaced slots in said shelf terminating short of each end of said shelf.
 8. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 7, in which each slot is defined by a pair of parallel bars, said bars having an inverted trapezoidal cross section.
 9. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 7, in which said grate has a slight lateral curvature defining a substantially concave upper surface and a substantially convex lower surface.
 10. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each prong is an open frame defining a relatively large weight-reducing aperture; each prong extension being in the form of a curved hook in cross section.
 11. A wood-burning grate assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each prong has the general form of a truncated pyramid. 